Floridians hail Colombia trade deal

April 7, 2011|William e. gibson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Florida members of Congress are gushing about the U.S-Colombia trade deal, knowing it could lead to more goods passing through the state's ports and other transactions that would boost the local economy.

"We are their (Colombia's) number-one market," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Diaz-Balart, co-chairman of the Colombia Caucus in Congress, predicted a huge increase in Florida agricultural exports and bigger shipments of U.S. goods sent via the state's ports.

He and other Floridians have lobbied hard for approval of a Colombia trade deal and tried to overcome reluctance by the Obama administration. Some Democrats have questioned Colombia's human-rights record and were concerned about attacks on union organizers.

Diaz-Balart said the breakthrough came when Republicans told administration officials they must follow through on a Colombia deal if they want congressional approval of a separate pact with South Korea.

President Obama plans to meet on Thursday with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in the Oval Office to initial the deal. The administration estimates it will boost U.S. exports by more than $1 billion a year and could support thousands of American jobs.